Govt initiates security audit of all NGOs

The government has initiated a security audit of the international as well as local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the country in accordance with the National Action Plan (NAP), a private TV channel reported.

Previous records of the organisations and their activities will also be closely scrutinised during the audit, sources said, adding that inquiries will focus on collaboration between NGOs operating in Pakistan as well as their links to other countries. An investigation will also be carried out regarding the personnel related to the NGOs who entered the country and who left during the last three years.

The law enforcement agencies will initiate action against the NGOs found involved in suspicious activities, the sources added.

Earlier this week, the federal government rejected registration applications of 42 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) due to objections raised by the security agencies as Pakistan tightens control over inflow of foreign funding after being placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list.

These organisations had submitted applications for signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). The signing of MoU entitles an NGO to obtain foreign funding and open bank accounts.